The Nazca Lines

The unexplained hieroglyphics of this coastal region are the main attraction for travelers in Peru seeking history with an air of mystery. Estimated to have been begun around 400 BC and possibly continued for another thousand years, these immense representations of animals, human figures, and geometric shapes are spread across more than 500 square kilometers between the Nazca and Ingenio Rivers. The incredibly precise lines, featuring clean curves and straight edges, are thought to have been created by removing surface stones and thereby revealing lighter-colored soil underneath.

Since their discovery about 70 years ago, the Nazca Lines have baffled scientists around the world and many have come up with their own conclusions. Dr. Paul Kosock provided the first explanation in 1941, calling the lines of the Nazca desert “the biggest astronomy book in the world.” Since then, the greatest contributor to awareness of these mysterious hieroglyphics has undoubtedly been German mathematician Maria Reiche who lived on the pampas and devoted 50 years of her life to researching the lines. After years of investigation and painstaking measuring, Reiche concluded that the lines represented a gigantic astronomical calendar used by the Nazca civilization. Through the use of long cords attached to stakes and a standard unit measurement, Reiche believes the Nazca people were able to create these lines and that they might have also been used as a symbolic form of writing associated with the movement of the stars.

Other theories of the origins of the lines include: Georg A von Breuing and English astronomer Alan Sawyer’s theory that the lines are tracks of running contests; Henri Sterling’s belief that the figures represent yarns and weaving patterns; Zsoltan Zelko’s claim that the lines represented a map of the Tiahuanuco Empire; another theory states that the Nazca peoples flew on hot air ballons to construct the lines; and a final possible conclusion is Peruvian archaeologist John Isla’s belief that the lines were water and fertility worship offerings from the Nazca civilization.

There are two ways to view the hieroglyphics. The first is to make your way to the 12-m observation tower that Reiche established 17 km north of Nazca. Three vast designs – the Hands, the Lizard, and the Tree – can be seen from this mirador, which is easily accessible by taxi from downtown Nazca.

The other and more preferable manner to see the amazing Nazca Lines is to take a flight directly over them. Flights usually last 30-40 minutes and the small planes carry 3-5 people at a time. Passengers need to be rest-assured that air-traffic is in great hands, as it is controlled by the personnel at the local airport. It is highly recommend that food intake remain low before the flight, as they can be a bit bumpy depending on the weather. Ideally, travelers are recommended to take flights from 8am-10am and 3pm-4:30pm, as there is less turbulence during these hours and there is better sunlight. Avoid the skies if fog is in the forecast.